Health trajectories and healthcare utilization in Autism
The number of people diagnosed with autism in childhood or adulthood has strongly increased over the past decades. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with an increased risk of poor health outcomes and high healthcare utilization, but knowledge about the factors that influence health trajectories over time remains limited.
This project investigates how health outcomes and healthcare utilization develop over time among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who were diagnosed in childhood compared with those diagnosed in adulthood. By examining the role of factors such as psychiatric and somatic comorbidities and pharmacological treatments, we aim to identify high-risk groups and improve understanding of which interventions may enhance prognosis and reduce healthcare needs. The findings have the potential to inform more accurate prognostic assessments and support the development of more individualized treatment strategies for people with ASD.
Principal investigator: Professor Ellenor Mittendorfer-Rutz
Duration: 2015-2019
Funder: The Swedish Research Council